John,

How are our tax dollars being used to combat the COVID-19 pandemic?

While ATF and our allies are fighting for bigger direct payments to working families, safety net programs like nutrition assistance and Medicaid, aid to prevent evictions or foreclosures, and so much more―not enough of the current COVID-19 aid packages are reaching those most impacted by the pandemic.

In fact, the COVID-3 rescue package handed an unwarranted $200 billion in tax cuts (that must be repealed!) to the rich and corporations—five times more than the $42 billion for safety net programs, more than the $150 billion in aid provided to state and local governments on the frontlines of this crisis, and more than the $180 billion provided to hospitals and healthcare providers.[1]

Remarkably, people making $1 million or more got 82% of the tax breaks! Just 43,000 taxpayers. That’s unconscionable![2]  

Today is April 15th, which is normally Tax Day. Let’s use today to demand that Congress spend our tax dollars on supporting communities most impacted by the pandemic, not more tax breaks for the rich and corporations!

The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the economic and racial disparities in the U.S. We have the Billionaire Class who retreat to their yachts and vacation homes while millions of lower-paid working people (many without healthcare) in hands-on jobs like grocery clerks, food and package deliveries, and healthcare aides must continue to show up to work, risking infection and often traveling to their jobs on public transit.

In Chicago, half of all COVID-19 cases are African Americans and 72% of those who have died from the virus are Black. But less than one-third of the city’s total population is Black.[3]

But as our families and communities struggle with the health and economic realities of the pandemic, too much of the aid is unnecessarily bailing out corporations and wealthy business owners without providing enough aid to laid-off workers, healthcare providers, and communities in need.

Join ATF and our allies in demanding Congress direct aid where the need is greatest (and that doesn’t mean more bailouts and tax breaks for the rich and corporations!).

Thank you for always being there to fight for working families and demanding an economy and a tax system that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.

Frank Clemente
Executive Director
Americans for Tax Fairness

[1] “Winners & Losers in the Coronavirus Emergency Aid Package,” Americans for Tax Fairness, March 27, 2020

[2] Senator Sheldon Whitehouse Press Release, “Whitehouse, Doggett Release New Analysis Showing GOP Tax Provisions In CARES Act Overwhelmingly Benefit Million-Dollar-Plus Earners,” April 14, 2020

[3] “Black Americans Face Alarming Rates of Coronavirus Infection In Some States,” New York Times, April 7, 2020